Kamala Harris has been mocked online for the second time in two months after posting a Christmas photo of herself cooking in a kitchen with a gas stove.
Last month, Harris was also roundly ridiculed when she posted a similar photo with her husband Doug Emhoff in their kitchen, again appearing next to a gas stove.
The photos have outraged Republicans, who reacted furiously earlier this year after a Biden-appointed safety regulator suggested authorities could ban gas stoves altogether because they are considered major polluters.
Although the proposal was quickly rejected by the White House, it has now opened the vice president up to attacks when she is pictured cooking on it – or even standing near it.
In Monday's photo, Harris appeared to take steps to hide the fact that she was using a gas-powered appliance to cook Wellington beef – a fact not lost on users.
'Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with love, family and good food,” she wrote.
Kamala Harris posted a photo with husband Doug Emhoff in a kitchen in which she appeared to be blocking a gas stove. This tactic was quickly adopted by eagle-eyed Republicans
Georgia Rep. Mike Collins Seems to Notice Every Time the Vice President Stands Near a Gas Stove
Critics were shocked by the hypocrisy when they saw Harris standing next to a gas stove, after suggestions that Democrats wanted to ban them in a few years.
Mike Collins, a member of the House of Representatives representing Georgia, quickly responded, writing on X, “Is that another gas stove?”
The VP's attempts to cover up the stove were a fact that did not go wrong with his followers.
'In the photo they are clearly trying to block their stove. So weak,” Matt Kakuk replied.
“After Thanksgiving, I can understand,” Collins replied.
“Gas stove with red meat on it… exactly what they want to take away from the Americans,” said Tim Young.
'You do it on a gas stove while your side wants to ban them. I do it too when Americans are hungry. You still don't get it. Democrats = Hypocrisy,” Savannah bellowed.
“I see you're using the gas stove you wanted to ban for us mortals,” said one user.
“Rules for you, not for me,” another added.
Last month, Harris was also roundly mocked when she posted a similar photo with her husband Doug Emhoff in their kitchen, again appearing next to a gas stove.
In November, Collins quickly spotted Harris standing next to a gas stove
The head of the nation's top consumer watchdog, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, said last year that his agency might take some regulatory action.
It came in light of growing research linking gas stoves to pollutants that harm both human health and the environment.
Republicans seized on the idea, claiming the Biden administration wanted to ban gas stoves, which the White House was forced to deny after the memo surfaced.
Joe Biden said he does not support banning gas stoves, and White House spokesman Michael Kikukawa said, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, does not ban gas stoves.”
The saga started in October 2022, then Richard Trumka Jr., the Biden-appointed head of the consumer watchdog, wrote a memo to another commissioner saying there was enough evidence for the CPSC to start the rulemaking process to ban new gas stoves.
“The need for regulation of gas stoves has reached a boiling point,” Trumka said.
Trumka asserted that the agency “has a responsibility to ban consumer products that emit hazardous substances, especially when those emissions harm children under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.”
'Emerging evidence is sufficient to conclude that gas heaters in homes emit toxic gases that cause disease and that cheaper, safer alternatives are available.'
'Every option is on the table. Products that cannot be made safely can be banned,” he said.
He was later forced to clarify that he had been talking about new products and that a retroactive ban on gas stoves was not being considered.
Joe Biden said he does not support banning gas stoves, and White House spokesman Michael Kikukawa said, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, does not ban gas stoves.”
The department must review consumer products and assess their costs and impact.
They are not banning consumer goods, but rather saying what the standards should be in the future.
“As required by Congress, the Department of Energy is proposing efficiency standards for gas and electric cooktops – nor are we proposing a ban,” a Department of Energy spokesperson said.
“The proposed standards would not take effect until 2027 and would cumulatively save the nation up to $1.7 billion.
“Every major manufacturer has products that meet or exceed current requirements.”